WASHINGTON (CNN) — As the Senate Judiciary Committee neared completion of its consideration of comprehensive immigration reform legislation on Tuesday, it remained unclear whether the panel’s top Democrat would move forward with a pair of controversial gay rights amendments vehemently opposed by congressional Republicans. The amendments, backed by Sen. Patrick…

(CNN) — After years of controversy, the latest version of the “psychiatric bible” — the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — has been released. The DSM-5 (fifth edition)’s introduction, over the weekend at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting, marks “the end of more than a decade’s journey…

WASHINGTON, D.C., – Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet today announced that the agency will begin accepting applications from same-sex domestic partners who want to serve together as volunteers overseas.  Same-sex couples may begin the application process starting Monday, June 3. “Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining leadership experience…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wednesday, May 22, the White House will honor ten openly LGBT elected or appointed officials as “Harvey Milk Champions of Change.”  The event falls on Harvey Milk’s birthday and will recognize these individuals for their commitment to equality and public service. “When President Obama posthumously awarded Harvey…

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space.  The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security…

(CNN) — The Republican National Committee raised $7.2 million in April, one month after releasing its rebranding and outreach efforts following the presidential election loss in 2012. Last month’s cash haul brings the committee’s cash-on-hand total to $9.8 million, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus announced today. “Our number one priority at…

(CNN) — An outspoken and provocative conservative who emerged from Saturday’s Republican Party of Virginia Convention as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor once compared Planned Parenthood to the Ku Klux Klan and blasted African-Americans for their “slavish devotion” to the Democratic Party. E.W. Jackson, an African-American pastor and attorney…

(CNN) — CNN anchor Anderson Cooper played the groom in a surreal wedding scene send-off for Bill Hader’s Stefon character on the season finale of “Saturday Night Live.” Hader announced last week that he was leaving SNL after eight seasons to move to California and get more sleep, which meant…

LOS ANGELES — In an effort to encourage condom use and safer sex practices, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health will begin distributing its official “L.A. Condom” in a 40-foot condom mobile that made its debut at Long Beach Pride. Condoms being distributed feature new wrappers designed…